Henderson State begins the 2016-17 men's basketball campaign this weekend when the Reddies compete in the Central Region Crossover in Lancaster, Texas.

The Reddies will open the tournament on Friday against Minot State with the opening tip set for 5 p.m. On Saturday, Henderson will take on Nebraska-Kearny at 3 p.m.

Henderson is coming off a 71-49 loss to Arkansas State last week in an exhibition contest in Jonesboro, Ark.

The Reddies are led by three-year starter Kevin Kozan who is just 64 points shy of 1000 career points. The senior from New Lenox, Ill. has averaged 11.1 points in his 84 games played and has totaled 192 3-point field goals. Kozan averaged 12.4 points per game a year ago and shot 37 percent from beyond the arc.
           
Kaylon Tappin led Henderson in scoring a year ago averaging 14.1 points per game. The junior from Little Rock scored in double-figures in 15 of 19 games played including a season-high 32 points.
 
A pair of Port Orange, Fla. products in Matt Panaggio and Ben Marello also return and look to improve on their numbers from a year ago.       

Panaggio started 25 games as a sophomore and averaged 7.9 points and 4.8 rebounds, while Marello added 6.7 points and 3.2 boards as a freshman.

MINOT STATE
Minot State was picked to finish 12th in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll. MSU was also selected to finish fifth in the North Division.
The Beavers finished last season 15-14 overall and placed 10^th in the NSIC.

The player to watch for the Beavers is Tyler Rudolph, a 6-foot-6 forward from Bismarck, N.D. who made an impact last year earning a spot on the All-NSIC Second team.
Rudolph's 12 double-doubles last season led the NSIC and tied for 15th in all of NCAA Division II. He also led the NSIC in offensive rebounds with 91.
As a sophomore, Rudolph averaged 32.3 minutes, 17.5 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists.

Last season Rudolph led the Beavers to a 78-65 win over the Reddies scoring a game-high 21 points while grabbing 14 rebounds.
Also returning is senior guard Nathan Mertens. The senior from Devils Lake, N.D. started all 29 games and averaged 8.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.
 
NEBRASKA-KEARNEY
Nebraska-Kearney was picked sixth in the MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll.
UNK went 21-12 (14-8 MIAA) in 2015-16, reaching the finals of the MIAA Tournament and the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Among the returning starters are 2016 All-MIAA pick Trey Lansman and guards Ty Danielson and Lane Rohrich.

Lansman was a third-team All-MIAA a year ago averaging 15.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. The junior forward shot 53.1 pct. from the field including 47.0 percent from 3-point range.

Danielson also started all 33 games a year ago averaging 9.8 points per game while compiling 27 steals. The junior guard from York, Neb. shot a team-best 68 of 75 (90.7 pct.) at the line and scored in double figure in 18 games.

Rohrich averaged 5.9 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game last season while shooting 77.8 percent from the foul line. The junior guard from Pierce, Neb. knocked down 20 3-point field goals and was one of five Lopers with 20 steals.

Live stats will be available for the entire tournament via www.hsusports.com
or clicking on the following link: LIVE STATS.